My qualifications

My first private practice office, 2008

How did I get to be a Therapist?

I have formal training as a counsellor and in Brief and Narrative Therapy, and have been working with kids and families since 1990. I have a Masters degree in Social Work, and am a licensed member of the Ontario College of Social Workers. At present, I also teach Narrative Therapy practices at the Hincks-Dellcrest Gail Appel Institute in Toronto.

Like all of us,myqualifications are a combination of:

formal training and education,

things I’ve learned from life experience

lessons taught to me by other people, through stories and observation

Here are some bits that stand out:

Being raised by a young, single mom taught me about assumptions, support, and determination

A motorcycle accident taught me about dependence, insecurity, and recovery

And working as a Narrative Therapist teaches me about collaboration, hope and curiousity

And what's your story?

We are all made up of stories and experiences that shape what we know, and what we do.

When I work with people I want to know about many aspects of their lives, including

what they’ve been taught,

what they’ve taught themselves,

what they’ve seen and felt through the experiences of other people

and what it all means to them.

I work as a team with the people who consult with me, and together we change how problems limit lives. We build our knowledge of what works, together. Between my experience and yours, we have a lot to work with!

My Private Practice

With over 20 years experience working with families and communities, I now focus on helping adults and children who are dealing with conflict, stress and anxiety. I love working with couples, with people who are struggling with the effects of Anger, and with children ages 5 and up and their parents.

Since 2009, I've been training and presenting on Narrative Therapy to a wide variety of professionals, including housing workers, school board social workers, health care workers, First Nations community health centres, University counsellors, addictions counsellors and many more. My hope as a trainer is to help people learn how to have caring and productive conversations with each other.Education

University of Toronto, Master of Social WorkYork University, Bachelor Social WorkEmily Carr College of Art and Design, Bachelor Fine Arts

I am a Registered Social Worker, Ontario College of Social Workers, 2007 to presentand a member of the Ontario Association of Social Workers

Additional Training

Sensori-Motor Psychotherapy, Level 1Narrative Therapy Extern Programs, Hincks-Dellcrest InstituteNarrative Therapy Introductions, Brief and Narrative Therapy CenterReflective Practice with Jan FookWorking with Men who use Abuse with Tod Augusta-Scott, Alan JenkinsPrograms for Child Witnesses of Domestic Violence Working with Youth in Community SettingsIntroduction to Play Therapyand various trainings and workshops on the use of neuroscience in therapy, conflict resolution, anger management and many others

Presentations and Workshops (selected)

Year Long Extern Program in Narrative Therapy5-Day Certificate in Narrative TherapyEthical Anger ManagementWorking with Older AdultsDeliberate Practice for Professional DevelopmentCollaborative In-Session Note-Taking Counselling Skills- 6 week program, Helping People Navigate LIfe Transitions, Undermining the Habits of Low-Self-Esteem,